Chuck's Journal

Surgery tomorrow! Double valve procedure - aortic replacement and mitral valve repair (hopefully) or replace. Off to University of Pennsylvania Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia at 5:30am. The adventure continues!

Can't sleep! Surgery is next week 9/26/19. Just got my new Fitbit Versa 2 to track my activity levels post-surgery. A great gadget that will come in handy during recovery. I learned that it can also track sleep. I knew I was having trouble sleeping, but last night I only logged 3 hrs. 42 mins! Yikes.

Four weeks exactly until my surgery. Feeling a variety of emotions - still in a bit of a shock that such a major event is coming my way, Plus feeling a bit down. But I find comfort in knowing that I'm not facing this alone. Losing independence during my recovery will be challenging since most of us by this age are fully independent. Had a cardiac cath on Monday and all the rest of the pre-operative testing. The cardiac cath was weird, in that I was awake the entire time - and very relaxed - and didn't even realize they were doing anything. Towards the end of the procedure I requested "another martini" and was told that they would be done in 5 minutes. Wild. Fortunately they were able to go through my wrist artery which reduced the "not moving lying flat" time to only about 2 hours. All I need is a dental clearance, and I'm scheduled for a cleaning in about 2 weeks. I purchased a lift recliner online for around $400. Very good price compared to the name brand furniture stores who sell similar chairs for $1,500 and up. Does the job and makes me laugh every time I use it. I was really concerned about getting up out of chairs and my couch - all of which are low. I tried getting up out of them without using my arms to push off - and the couch was nearly impossible - so the lift chair was a key purchase in preparing my home for after the surgery. I'm a bit anxious also about being out of work without pay and decimating my savings. But going out under FMLA keeps my job safe and health insurance benefits in place. My work has a program where folks can donate leave, but I'm unsure how much (if any) will be donated. Hopefully some donated leave will lessen the burden. Any suggestions for the hospital other than bringing a robe and slippers loose fitting pj bottoms?

After a series of retesting through a new cardiologist a surgery date of 9/26/19 has been set. The plan is for an aortic valve replacement and mitral valve repair. Feeling quite anxious, and a bit depressed. Getting a cardiac cath on Monday to make sure everything is in order. Still trying to wrap my head around it, knowing that I’m facing OHS. Surgeon is Pavan Atluri and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center..

Those were the words I received from the doc about 10 days ago, and I’m trying to accept that new reality. After years of watching, my previous cardiologist never mentioned surgery - so those words came as a surprise. The “when” I was told was 1 to 3 years. Yikes, that’s soon! I have always thought I was asymptomatic, but now question whether my general fatigue is related. I had always thought it was due to my brain surgery in 2007 for a pituitary brain tumor. Also, I have this weird feeling of my heart beating and often pull my T-shirt away from my heart area or blankets when sleeping because I am uncomfortable with anything touching that area. I also look at previous echo reports and try to identify any trends. Other than an aortic root diameter that has increased, I can’t figure much out from the reports. My main concern is about the timing. If I’ll need surgery within 3 years and I my numbers remain the same, what determines when it’s time? I’d rather know when, obviously! I’m getting a stress echo next week and will then get a second opinion. Hopefully, I’ll have more direction after that report is completed.

Those were the words I received from the doc about 10 days ago, and I’m trying to accept that new reality. After years of watching, my previous cardiologist never mentioned surgery - so those words came as a surprise. The “when” I was told was 1 to 3 years. Yikes, that’s soon! I have always thought I was asymptomatic, but now question whether my general fatigue is related. I had always thought it was due to my brain surgery in 2007 for a pituitary brain tumor. Also, I have this weird feeling of my heart beating and often pull my T-shirt away from my heart area or blankets when sleeping because I am uncomfortable with anything touching that area. I also look at previous echo reports and try to identify any trends. Other than an aortic root diameter that has increased, I can’t figure much out from the reports. My main concern is about the timing. If I’ll need surgery within 3 years and I my numbers remain the same, what determines when it’s time? I’d rather know when, obviously! I’m getting a stress echo next week and will then get a second opinion. Hopefully, I’ll have more direction after that report is completed.